Brenda Sue Hammond

A note from Tori (Brenda's daughter)

To all of my friends & family... 

On Saturday, January 11th, our family home in Salem, Arkansas caught fire and my beautiful mother, Brenda Hammond, did not survive it. My mother left this earth behind to be with God (and that's the only peace we have right now during this tragedy). My mom was born in Mississippi where she lived with her parents and five siblings. The Crouse family later moved to Texas where my mom lived most of her (along with several years in the Ozark mountains of Arkansas). She loved to travel but, she always kept her southern roots. 

My mother was truly a strong woman and she taught me everything she knew. I was her only child. She was adventurous, strong willed, independent and she overcame a lot in her years. She loved to travel and experience new things, new people, new cultures, new food, new anything. She traveled the world during her missionary days and she helped found a food bank in Eureka Springs, Arkansas (with her late ex husband , Joe Hammond). The food bank still helps locals today & she was so proud of that and her involvement. 

My mother was "Mimi" to my 3 beautiful children Kannon, Kaden and Olive Pearl. She was very proud of each of them and she loved her grandchildren deeply. She wanted them to know she is proud of them, she believes in all of them and she wants them to be strong, travel, eat good food and live their best lives. She wanted them to make the best out of every day and love all the little things in life. The important things. Be grateful, be thankful and enjoy life. 

My mother was a simple woman that was grateful and thankful for the things in life like feeling the breeze, watching flowers bloom, feeding the birds, sewing and creating new things. She loved plants & flowers and even worked for years as a professional florist. My mom lived in Texas for years and decided to eventually retire in Arkansas. She loved Arkansas and she wanted to live out the rest of her years in Arkansas. She loved the people, the smaller town feel, the trees and the four seasons. My mother was social at times but, she also loved her peace, the quiet and her solitude. She found safety in solitude and I believe she passed in some type of peace. I'll never understand the way God works but, she's with him now. She's healed, happy, peaceful and calm. I am sure of it.

Thank you to all of her Salem care takers, to my cousins (her nieces & nephews), to my aunts & uncles (her siblings), to her friends, to her extended family and to everyone she met along the way. 

My mother "Mimi" passed feeling fulfilled and at peace with her life. We promise to learn from her, remember all the good (forget the bad) and live our best lives (the way she would want it). 

Rest in peace, Mimi. We love you.